C4 JUST SAY GOODBYE

"Things are going to be better for you now" she said. I iust shook my head

I wasn't so sure about that.

When we pulled into the Chandlers driveway, Mrs. Chandlerbcame running out in her dressing gown.

"You couldn't have at least called?" She asked, her hands on her hips.

Mr. Chandler smiled. "There isn't much service in The Valley,bhoney. Besides, I think you needed to hear this in person. Why don't we make some tea for Vegaband Evie. They need to warm up."

She nodded and took Vega and I inside with her hands around our shoulders. We had all sat down next to the fireplace with steaming cups ofbtea before Mrs. Chandler began prodding for answers.

"Well...? What happened?" She asked.

Mr. Chandler looked at me. "We met some, uh, interesting people tonight. Don't you agree, Evie?'

Vega nudged me and wiggled her eyebrows. I just stared down into my cup of tea.

"I'm not getting it, people," Mrs. Chandler said. "What happened?"

Mr. Chandler began to tell her the story. When he got to thebpart where we met Adam, he stopped and looked at me.

"And... He's my mate," I sighed.

I hated how good it felt to say that.

Mrs. Chandler gasped and Mr. Chandler hushed her.

"You're going to wake up the boys and it's almost midnight," he said.

She put her hand up to silence him, all the while still looking at me.

"Darling that's wonderful," she said smiling. "Aren't you happy?

It was my turn to shrug. "I guess so."

Liar.

"He's making me leave with him tomorrow," I said.

Her smile fell. "Can't you ask him for more time?"

"He has to get back to his pack," I said shaking my head. "There really isn't a way out of this. I tried telling him I had school, but... It didn't really work."

"Well, you wanted to take classes online anyway" she reasoned.

"Although I don't appreciate how selfish he's being, taking you away from people who love you so suddenly and all."

I smiled.

At least someone would miss me. As we headed to bed, I opened the door to the guest bedroom, a place I slept frequently. Vega stopped me from walking in.

"Do you wanna sleep downstairs in the living room like we used to?" She asked.

I smiled. "Sure."

We headed downstairs, made our spots on the couches, and laidbdown, watching the fire die.

"I'll miss you," she said, finally.

"I'Il miss you too."

"Do you think you'll ever come back?" She asked.

I rolled over and stared up at the ceiling. "I certainly hope so. You have to come and visit me, though. Wherever I end up going.

"I will." she assured me. "How do you think your mom took the news?"

I sighed. "There's no telling."

It was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. "I have a feeling that things will be great for you with him.

I swallowed hard.

I certainly hope so.

"Evie." I sighed and rolled over.

"Evie, wake up."

"Why?" I whined.

"He's here."

I turned my head and opened one eye. "What? Who's here?"

"Who do you think?" Vega asked, crossing her arms.

Then I remembered.

"Oh."

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Throwing the blanket from over my legs, I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the couch.

Vega sat down next to me. "Do you want to run upstairs and hide in my closet? I can tell him you left this morning and went home."

I smiled and swung my arm around her shoulder. "Vega, if I thought that would work, I would be halfway up the staircase right now."

She laughed. "Evie, honey, I made breakfast. Adam just pulled into the driveway if you want to go invite him in to eat," Mrs. Chandler yelled from the kitchen.

The doorbell rang a few moments later and Vega got up to go open the door.

"You might want to run your fingers through your hair and go pop a breath mint really fast," She advised, laughing. I looked at her wide-eyed. "I don't have on a bra either."

I ran past her and up the stairs to her room. I quickly changed back into my sweater and jeans from the day before. I borrowed some deodorant and brushed my teeth quickly. I was walking back down the stairs, running my fingers through my hair, when I heard Adam's voice.

"I appreciate that, Mrs. Chandler. We are a little short on time this morning, however, so we'll need to be going," he said politely. She had invited him to stay for breakfast.

As if he sensed me standing there, Adam turned around and met my gaze. I slowly walked down the stairs and he greeted me at the bottom. "Good morning," he said softly.

"Morning," I said.

"We need to go ahead and leave," he said. "lIl be waiting just outside while you say goodbye."

I nodded, not meeting his gaze.

"It was nice to meet you," Adam said, shaking the hand of both Mr. and Mrs. Chandler. He gave me one last look before heading out the front door.

They all turned to look at me and I smiled, trying to hold back tears.

"Does your boyfriend play football?" Brennan asked.

I laughed at this and shook my head. "I don't know."

"He should play basketball. Did you see how tall he is?" Ethan commented.

"Hush," Mrs. Chandler said.

"You two say goodbye to Evie now. We don't know when we'll see her again."

The two of them walked up, their arms wrapping around my waist and faces pressing into my stomach. "Will you be home for our birthday? It's in February, you know," Ethan said.

I laughed, hugging them back. "I'Il try to be."

They both ran up the stairs behind me and I looked at Mrs. Chandler, who was crying.

I couldn't help but cry myself as I walked over to her and threw my arms around her neck. "lIl miss you so much," I whispered.

"I'Il miss you too, honey," She said, pulling away. "You tell that man of yours that he has to take good care of you, you hear?"

I nodded. "I will."

Mr. Chandler walked over and gave me a side hug and a kiss on top of my head. "I'Il beat him up if he doesn't," he said laughing.

I wiped tears from my cheeks and smiled. "I know you will."

I looked at Vega, who was far from smiling. "I can't believe you're actually leaving," She said. "I don't want you to go."

I shook my head. "Me neither," I said, going in for a big hug.

Vega hugged me tight and I hugged her tighter. I felt her sigh as she let go and backed away. "You should get going then," She said.

I nodded. "I'Il call as soon as I get wherever it is I'm going," I said.

"Here," Mrs. Chandler said, handing me my coat and scarf as well as a brown paper bag. "I packed you two some food for the road."

"Thank you," I said, taking the bag and hugging her again.

I put on my jacket and backed away towards the

door, trying not to cry again. "I'Il see you guys soon."

Mrs. Chandler nodded and Vega and Mr. Chandler waved. I stepped out the door and felt the icy breeze hit my wet cheeks. I wiped them quickly with my sleeve and wrapped my scarf around my neck.

He was standing there with his hands in his pockets as if the cold air didn't bother him. I walked past him and down the sidewalk.

A black, all-terrain Jeep was sitting in the driveway that I assumed was his. I walked around the car and put my hand on the handle. Before I could pull the door open his hand blocked the door from opening.

"I'm sorry," he said.

I didn't say anything, didn't even turn around to look at him as his hand wrapped around mine and pulled the door open for me to get inside.

The car was warm. He'd left it running with the warm air on full blast. I put my hands in front of the vents as he got into the car and closed the door. While we were pulling away, I wondered how he knew where the Chandlers live.

"How did you know where to find me?" I asked, still not looking at him.

"Tracking," he answered simply.